Coyotes' Winnik bringing toughness

Look no further than Daniel Winnik for proof that this Coyotes team promises to bring a whole new set of problems to their opponents this season.

A year ago, the upstart team fooled everyone by almost reaching the playoffs with an in-your-face style of play. And after only two games this season, the intensity level is even higher.

Winnik, who defied the odds by breaking into the NHL a season ago, leads the team with 27 penalty minutes - tied for the league lead with Sean Avery of the Dallas Stars. As a rookie, Winnik had 25 minutes in penalties in 79 games.

"I think it's just my game," he said. "I have to be aggressive like that to be successful. I think a lot of it has come from my skating."

He said he has benefited from the tutoring of power skating coach Mark Ciaccio.

"Since last year when I started working with him, and in the summer, I think I've gotten even a little faster from last year. I'm a lot more comfortable with the technique stuff. I think I'm coming out of the start a lot better, and I think a better jump."

Coach Wayne Gretzky said Winnik has been of the team's most effective forwards in their 2-0 start, something he expects will continue tonight in Chicago when the Coyotes play the first of three road games in four days. "He's forechecking hard, battling, physical," he said. "He's probably our top penalty-killer. For the role that he's doing, we're thrilled at what he's doing. He plays physical every night. He blocks shots. We're really happy with his game."

Gretzky likes what he has been seeing from a toughness aspect.

" . . . Winnik jumping in when (Keith) Yandle got hit, and (Kyle) Turris got hit, and (David) Hale jumped in, those are real positives for our team," Gretzky said. "You either have chemistry or you don't. You can't fake it. It's good that they get along with each other."

Hale, who signed as a free agent, says he can tell the team is coming together. As part of a new-look defense that also includes another free-agent pickup, Kurt Sauer, he admits there might be "a little bit" of added pressure.

"I think coming in, you have to worry about what you can do and just take care of that, and the rest will take care of itself," he said.

Last-second frenzy

Winnik, Sauer and goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov were part of a last-second battle in Anaheim on Sunday night, one that resulted eight penalties, five against the Ducks. Sauer got five minutes for fighting, Winnik received a misconduct, and Bryzgalov was tagged for leaving the crease.

"I'm not a very good fighter, plain and simple," Sauer said with a little smile. "I guess I can take a couple of punches. I should be able to protect myself, and basically that's about all.

"The other night . . . it's what happens, what it was. They were frustrated. That was the end of the game, and that was hockey right there, hardnosed hockey. They were trying to send a message for the next game, but we've just got to be ready and keep going and get the points and go home."